Sated. Glow still on her skin.
Liam is passed out behind her, arm draped across her hip. Peaceful. Lighter than I’ve seen him in years. Telling hisparents the truth lifted something in him. He touches us more, smiles every day, sings with a brighter edge.
I wish I felt as relaxed as my loves tonight. I probably should have let myself orgasm.
Instead, my mind was whirling.
We’re in Dublin for a few days. Tomorrow is my turn to tell my parents about our relationship. Then we’re putting our little flat on the market and moving to the States for good. Life is changing and we’re meeting it head on.
None of us planned to be parents. Truth be told, the timing couldn’t be worse for Fireball.
Another example of life happening to you when you least expect it.
We probably should have seen it coming. Our sex life is insane. Most days, if I’m honest, we fill Avonna on more than one occasion. It’s our rhythm. Devotion to our girl. None of us ever worried about birth control, she’s been on the pill for years. Somewhere between time zones and exhaustion, she missed a few and here we are in the craziest situation imaginable.
At our twelve-week scan, the three of us went in expecting one heartbeat. Came out with two. Avonna cried. Liam went pale. I laughed because I didn’t know what else to do. We held each other in the hallway outside the clinic while the world kept turning.
Our lawyer gently suggested a DNA test. For protection. Guardianship. Legal clarity. We’re doing everything possible to protect our family legally and we don’t have the luxury of surprise if we are going to establish parental rights.
The paternity results came in around the time we learned their gender. Two girls. I’m the bio dad of one girl. Liam’s the bio dad of the other. It’s so rare, the entire office got involved in the test confirmation. Heteropaternal superfecundation, they call it. Two eggs, two sperm, one ovulation window.
The science makes sense, even if the odds are one in a million.
“You’re both their fathers.” Avonna didn’t blink when we found out. “Of course you are.”
Restless, I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Liam and Avonna. The flat is dim and cool. I meander into the kitchen, turn on the smallest light, and brace my hands on the counter. My heart races and stomach roils as I think about tomorrow.
My parents love Avonna. They’ve wanted us to have kids for years and are gonna be shocked to the core when they learn my wife is carrying one of my daughters and one of Liam’s. It will be difficult for them to comprehend.
It’s my fault they don’t know Liam’s history with me and how Avonna and I have brought him into our marriage.
With the visit looming, I understand how scared Liam was when he was in the same boat a few weeks ago. I’m afraid of my family’s judgement and of losing them. It went well at the McGloughlins. Hopefully the O’Donnell’s will be accepting too.
A soft footstep pulls me out of my thoughts.
I turn.
Liam stands in the doorway. Naked. Sleep-warm. His hair messy, cock half-mast, his eyes still heavy with dreams. The sight of him pulls something hot and aching through my chest.
My dick fills. Suddenly, he’s the only thing I need.
“Linus,” he rasps. “Come back to bed.”
“I can’t sleep. I’m too wound up.” My fist wraps around my hardening cock.
He crosses the room. “What’s goin’ on?”
“I’m not lookin’ forward to tomorrow,” I admit. “I’ve hidden so much. It’ll be a lot for them to take in.”
He presses his forehead against my shoulder. “They may be freaked out, but it’ll be okay.”
“I’m scared.”
“I know.” He kisses my neck. “Come here.”
He guides me to the couch and sits. Pulls me into his lap. I straddle him as his hands slide up my back with grounding strokes.
“You always take care of all of us.” His tongue brushes mine with deliberate tenderness. My ribs loosen. “Every day. Tonight, let me take care of you.”
